Toy vehicle with simulated horn



Dec. 30, 1952 H. L. cox 2,623,328

TOY VEHICLE WITH SIMULATED HORN Filed July 13, 1948 INVENTOR. HHE/V S A. COX

Patented Dec. 30, 1952 UNITED STAT PATENT OFF I'C 2,623,328;

TOY VEHICLE WITH SIMULATED HORN' Harmer L. Cox; west Englewood, N. J., assignor to Louis Marx: 8. Company; New. York Nt. Yr, a:corpora;tionof N ew'York Application J 1113213; 1948,, Serial No. 38,442

10 Claims: 1 This invention; relates to "toys; and more particularly to vehicle toys such as toy autos.

The primary object of the invention is; to

generally improve toys of the specified character by equipping the same with a noise producing" device simulating a warning signal or horn: Otherobjects are to-provide a noise" producing device which is; simple in constructionand in expensive to manufacture; which is mechanically" operated'in orderto av-oidthe need forbatteries or the "like; and which willoperate in a dependable and trouble-free manner over a long'spanof life.

A more particular object is to' provide a vehicle toy'with a simulated"steering wheel' and steering column assembly atleasta part of which? is axiallymovable, and the movement of which may be used 'to operatethe aforesaid noise produc ingmechanism; Still? another object is to arrange the vehicle toy for steering, if desiredf in which-case the aforesaid simulated steeringwheel and-column assembly is suitably linked to the wheels sothat rotation of the steering wheel turns the, vehicle while axial movement operates the noise. producingmechanism or horn."

In accordance with: 'astill further feature "and object of: the invention, the steering wheel "and? column assembly mayinclud'e a rod theirear end of'which projects through the center of the steering wheel,somewhat insimulation of an automobile horn button. In that-species of' the, in-

vention, rotation of the wheel steers the vehicle, and depression of the simulated button, sounds;

thewarning ignal.

To accomplish the foregoinggeneral objects,

and other more specific objects which will, hereinafterappear, my invention resides .in the toy vehicle steering, andtnoise. making elements and 1 their relation one to the other asare hereinafter more particularly described in. the followingtion through the forwardhalfof amodifi'edform of the toy, in which the steering and warning operations are completely separated;

Fig. 5. is a horizontal section taken approximately-in thelplane of theulinei -5:of Fig, 4; and

Fig.6 is alongitudinal seetiontaken in-el'e-vaa tion, generally similar -to Fig; 4, but showing; sti-ll anothcr form of theinvention whichthe te-yo may be steered. v

Referring to the drawing, all forms of the toy:

shown comprise-a vehicle -body- B, asimulated steering wheeland column assembly-generally designated.- A, at least a part of which is axiallyt movable, resilient means R normally urging saidpart upward-1yor rearwardly; a--parthaving transverse serrations or threads -Tg" and a leaf ble part of the-assembly A- causes -a-- relativerubbing movement of the spring- S and-the ser rations T; thus-producing a-raucous-noisesimulation of an automobile horn.

Considering the first species of the invention in greater detail, and referringto Fi'gs.-1 2- and 3 of the'drawing', the toy there-shown simulates There is a sheet'metal-body l2-i sup a jeep. ported on four wheels-l4 and carrying a-fift wheel or spare'lt: Asim-ulatedhood [8 maybe raised about eyelets- 20; A simulated windshield1 22 maybe raised about'eyelets 24,- The rather simple form of toy here shownis-not arranged; for steering; and is'not provided with a -propul- It isa so-called pull toy, which sion motor. is simply pulled or pushed along by a childl l s ing with the same The simulated steering wheel -and -column as sembly A isshown ingreater detai-l in Figs-: 2 and 3 of the drawing.- The-steering-wheel 25 m fixedly secured atthe-upper or rearend: of as solid rod 28; The lower end of the rod-is-of reduceddiameter; as --indicated-at 351+ Aminter mediate portion 32-isthreaded+ The large di ameter portio n'w is axially slidableandrotatablein a bearing 34%. The" small diameter portion 30 is axially slidableand rotatable in a bearing 38; The rod and-wheelers normally urged rearwardly" by-a compression spring 38 coiled'aboutthe smalL. diameter portion of the rod and disposedzbetweena bearing 36. and. theethreadedsportionh32l- The; rearward movement oftthe rod is a limited: by suitable means, such as a split collar 40 fitted into, a groove in the. rod.

The leaf spring Sis bent substantially .attright. angles. One end 52 is free foryibration and .is. in rubbing engagement with the thread 32.. a The opposite end 44 is fixedly mounted on a stationary wall 46, as by means of a rivet or eyeletfl lfiw A lug 50 may be struck upwardly from wall 46 3 for engagement with the stationary end of the spring in order to prevent rotation of the spring about the eyelet 48. In this way one eyelet is sufficient to hold the spring in desired position.

The bearing wall 35 may be folded upwardly from the bottom wall 52 of the toy. The bearing wall 34 may be formed integrally with side walls 54, which in turn maybe secured to bearing wall 36 by appropriate tongue and slot connections. The wall 46 may be formed integrally with one of the side walls, and whether integral or separate, may be locked in position by suitable tongue and slot connections, as is well understood by those skilled in the toy art.

It will be evident that the wheel 26 may be either rotated or depressed. When depressed and released, a relatively loud, raucous sound is produced by the movement in both directions, in simulation of an automobile horn or so-called klaxon. The thread does not act as a thread, but rather as transverse serrations. A thread is simply one convenient way to provide the desired transverse serrations. serrations along a square or flattened rod may be used, but the present arrangement not only facilitates rotation of the steering wheel, but has the incidental advantage of presenting an ever-changing surface to the spring, thus distributing the wear and increasing the life of the toy.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 4 and of the drawing. In this case the toy vehicle simulates a racing car. Only the forward end of the toy is shown, it being understood that the remainder of the toy, if shown, would include the usual cockpit and streamlined rear end with rear wheels. The toy may be either a pull toy, or a motor driven toy, and in the latter case, suitable clockwork mechanism housed in the rear portion of the toy is geared to the rear axle and wheels.

The front wheels 60 are mounted for steering. In the present case, stub axles 62 (Fig. 5) are carried by brackets 64 pivoted on simulated kingpins 66. The brackets have rearwardly extending arms 68 joined by a cross-link II). In the arrangement here shown this link is stamped out of sheet metal and is generally T-shaped, with a rearwardly extending stem portion I2, the rear end of which is turned upwardly at I4, and slotted to receive the pin I0 of an oscillatable arm 18.

The steering wheel 80 (Fig. 4) is secured to a tube 82 rotatable in bearing walls 84 and 86. The tube 82 is held against axial movement, as by means of spring collars 88 fitted into mating grooves. The arm 78 is secured to the tube 82 in any desired manner. In the present case, the arm 78 is a piece of stiif, heavy gauge wire which is. bent tightly about the tube, and additionally held, as by means of soldering, spot welding or the like. It will be evident from inspection of the drawing that rotation of the steering wheel 80 turns the tube 82 and arm l8, with consequent side to side movement of the pin and with it the arm I2 and link I0. This turns or steers the front wheels about the kingpins 66.

A rod 90 is axially movable in tube 82. The rear end 02 of the rod projects through the middle of the steering wheel, somewhat in simulation of a horn button. The lower end of the rod projects beyond the tube 82. An intermediate portion 94 is threaded, while the lowermost portion 06 is preferably smooth and slidably received in a bearing wall 08. A compression spring I00 is coiled about the rod and disposed between the wall 98 and a suitable collar I02. Thus the rod is normally urged rearwardly, its movement being limited by means of a spring collar I04. In the alternative, the collar I02 may be permitted to reach the spring S.

The leaf spring S may be similar to that previously described, it having a free end bearing against the serrations or threads 94, while the opposite end portion I06 is fixedly secured to the vehicle body, as by means of an eyelet I08. This anchors the spring on a wall IIO which may be formed integrally with or otherwise secured to the bearing walls 86 and 08 previously referred to, which in turn may be mounted in the vehicle body by means of suitable tongue and slot connections.

It will be evident that depression of the simulated horn button 02 will produce the desired signal noise, and that the control elements for the warning signal and for steering are separated from one another in better simulation of a real automobile. However, the steering column assembly resembles the others in having a part which is axially movable for noise making purposes.

It is not essential to separate the control elements in order to steer the vehicle. Fig. 6 illustrates a modified toy arranged to both steer and to produce a warning signal, but in which the wheel is axially movable. Considering the arrangement in detail, the front wheels II2 are steerable and may be mounted on kingpins as previously described, and may be operated by linkage similar to that previously described, except that in the present case the rearwardly extending stem portion II4 of the T-shaped link I It may be shorter. It is similarly provided with an upturned end H8 slotted to receive the pin I20 of an arm I22 secured to rod I24. However, in the present case the pin- I20 is lengthened to accommodate axial movement of the rod without in any way affecting the steering of the vehicle.

The steering wheel I26 is fixedly secured on the rear end of a steering rod I28, which in the present case may be a simple solid rod. The rod is both slidable and rotatable in a bearing wall I30. An intermediate portion of the rod is serrated or threaded, as indicated at I32. The lower end portion I24 of the rod is rotatable and slidable in a bearing bracket I34 mounted on the vehicle body at I36. A spring I38 is coiled about the rod I24 and is disposed between the bearing I34 and the arm I22. Thus the rod is normally urged rearwardly. The leaf spring S may be similar to those previously described, it having a free end I40 in rubbing contact with the thread I32. The opposite end I42 is fixedly mounted on a forwardly extending mounting lug I44, as by means of a rivet or eyelet I46. As before, a single eyelet may be employed if the spring is so dimensioned that parts of the spring bear against parts of the vehicle in such a manner as to prevent rotation of the spring about the eyelet.

It will be understood that with this arrange- I ment depression or axial movementof the steering wheel produces the desired warning signal, while rotation of the steering wheel, whether in rearward, forward or intermediate position, ef-

tages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed descriptionl The noise making device or warningsignal is, simple, inexpensive and dependable in operation. lt 15,,(301111011161 with the steering wheel and steering column assembly in a manner which adds to the realism of the toy. The toy may be arranged to steer under controlof the steering wheel, independently of the operation of. the warning signal.

Whilethe illustrated toys employ a single leaf spring toys of my invention have been made with a pair of oppositely directed leaf springs, the inner or free end of both springs bearing on the threaded rodon opposite sides thereof. Transverse serrations may be; used in lieu of a continuous thread In fact, in some forms-of the invention, the serrations may be formed on a fiat surface instead of entirely around a rod, but the latter is convenient and advantageous.

It will therefore be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in several preferred forms, changes may be made in the structures shown, without departing from the spirit of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A toy vehicle having a vehicle body and a noise making mechanism for simulating the horn of an auto, said toy vehicle comprising a simulated steering wheel and column assembly including a round rod, bearings in said vehicle body slidably supporting said round rod for movement in axial direction along the axis of the rod, a part of said rod housed by said body being spirally threaded, and a leaf spring mounted on said body at one end and disposed transversely of the rod, the other end of said spring being free and in rubbing contact with the aforesaid threads on the rod, said mounted end being secured fixedly to said vehicle body.

2. A wheeled vehicle toy comprising a vehicle ment with said serrations, and means whereby movement of the axially movable part of the aforesaid steering wheel and column assembly causes a relative movement of the serrated element and the leaf spring.

3. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 2, in which the steering wheel and column assembly comprises a rod mounted for both rotation about theaxis of the rod and axial movement along the axi of the rod, the steering wheel being secured to the rear end of said rod, and the aforesaid resilient means normally urging said rod and steering wheel rearwardly, whereby a noise is produced by depressing the steering wheel and rod forwardly.

4. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 2, in which one or more wheels are mounted for steering, and in which the steering wheel and column assembly comprises a tube mounted for rotation about the axis of the tube but held against axial movement along the axis of the tube, said steering wheel being secured to the rear end of said tube, and a rod mounted within said tube for movement along the axis of the rod and tube, the forward end of said rod extending beyond said tube, the aforesaid resilient means normally urging said rod rearwardly, said rod. carrying-the 31016:. saidserrations, the rear end of said rod projects ing through thecenter; ofthe steering wheel in simulation of an automobile horn button, and.

column assembly comprises a rod mountedfor' both axial movement along and rotation about the axis of the rod, the steering wheel being secured to the rear end. of said rod, the aforesaid resilient means urging said rod and wheel rears wardly, and steeringlinkage between said. steerable wheels and said rod, said linkage including a connection such as to accommodate the aforesaid axial movement of the rod without affecting the steering resulting from rotation of said rod.

6. A wheeled vehicle toy comprising a vehicle body, and noise making mechanism including a simulated steering wheel and column assembly at least a part of which assembly is movable in the direction of the axis of the column, resilient means normally urging said part rearwardly, said part having transverse serrations, and a leaf spring mounted at one end on said vehicle and free at its other end and disposed transversely 1 of said part and having its fre end in rubbing engagement with said serrations.

'7. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 6, in which the steering wheel and column assembly comprises a rod mounted for both rotation about the axis of the rod and axial movement along the axis of the rod, the steering Wheel being secured to the rear end of said rod, and the aforesaid resilient means normally urging said rod and steering Wheel rearwardly, whereby the desired signal noise is produced by depressing the steering wheel and rod forwardly.

8. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 6, in which there are front Wheels mounted for steering, and in which the steering wheel and. column assembly comprises a tube mounted for rotation about the axis of the tube but held against axial movement along the axis of the tube, said steering wheel being secured to the rear end of said tube, and a rod mounted within said tube for movement along the axis of the rod and tube, the forward end of said rod extending beyond said tube, the aforesaid resilient means normally urging said rod rearwardly, said rod carrying the thread, the rear end of said rod projecting through the center of the steering wheel in simulation of an automobile horn button, and steering linkage between the steerable front wheels and the rotatable tube, whereby rotation of the steering wheel steers the toy, and depression of the simulated horn button produces the desired noise.

9. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 6, in which the vehicle has front wheels which are arranged for steering, and in which the simulated steering wheel and column assembly comprises a rod mounted for both axial movement along and rotation about the axis of the rod, the steering wheel being secured to the rear end of said rod, the aforesaid resilient means urging said rod and wheel rearwardly, and steering linkage between said steerable front wheels and said rod, said linkage including a slidable connection such as to accommodate the aforesaid axial movement of the rod without affecting th steering resulting from rotation of said rod, whereby rotation of the steering wheel steers the vehicle, and depression of the steering wheel produces a noise.

10. A wheeled toy auto comprising a vehicle body, and noise making mechanism including a simulated steering wheel and column assembly at least a part of which assembly is movable in the direction of the axis of the column, a compression spring normally urging said part rearwardly, said part being threaded, and a leaf spring arranged transversely of said part and having one end in rubbing engagement with said thread, the other or stationary end of said leaf spring being fixedly secured to a part of the vehicle body.

HARMER L. COX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Smith Sept. 14, 1909 Dietze Nov. 27, 1928 Wollaston June 2, 1931 Wilder July 10, 1934 Schmid Nov. 22, 1938 Muller June 13, 1939 Muller Nov. 26, 1940 Herz Nov. 28, 1944 Allen June 3, 1947 

